What is Outdoor Kitchen Designer?

Outdoor Kitchen Designer manages 5 data types including cabinets. Helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 place for teams and solo users.

How much does a custom outdoor kitchen cost in Sydney?

A custom outdoor kitchen in Sydney typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000+. Entry-level: $10,000–$15,000. Medium: $15,000–$25,000. Luxury: $25,000+. Use the free planner at customoutdoorkitchensydney.com.au for an instant estimate tailored to your suburb.

Do I need council approval for an outdoor kitchen in Sydney?

In most cases across Sydney, if the outdoor kitchen is within an existing covered alfresco or pergola structure, no additional council approval is required. A DA or CDC may be needed for a new roofed structure. Requirements vary by council — MJ Leckie Carpentry can guide you through the process.

What materials are best for an outdoor kitchen in Sydney's climate?

MJ Leckie Carpentry recommends waterproof Stylex board carcasses, polytec Alfresco Alloy frame doors (7-year warranty, Australian Made), and Smartstone Sintered Collection benchtops (100% UV stable, 15-year warranty). These materials are engineered for Sydney's coastal and suburban conditions.

How long does it take to build a custom outdoor kitchen?

From signed quote to completion: 8–14 weeks. Cabinet manufacture: 4–6 weeks. Installation: 1–2 days. Benchtop templating and fabrication: 2–4 weeks. MJ Leckie Carpentry services all Sydney suburbs.

Where does MJ Leckie Carpentry build outdoor kitchens?

MJ Leckie Carpentry builds custom outdoor kitchens across all Sydney suburbs including the Northern Beaches, North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and Lower North Shore. Popular areas include Palm Beach, Manly, Mosman, Chatswood, Bondi, Balmain and beyond.

Product Guide · Outdoor Cabinetry

polytec Alfresco Cabinetry —
The Complete Guide for Sydney Homeowners

Everything you need to know about Australia's leading outdoor kitchen door system — specifications, correct applications, and honest limitations.

polytec is one of Australia's largest decorative surface manufacturers, based in Victoria. Their Alfresco range was developed specifically for outdoor kitchen cabinetry in covered alfresco environments — addressing the gap between standard indoor cabinetry (which fails outdoors) and expensive full-stainless systems.

MJ Leckie Carpentry specifies polytec Alfresco on all our outdoor kitchen builds. Here's what you need to know.

Product Specifications

Door construction	5mm compact laminate insert in aluminium frame
Frame finish options	Brushed Grey, Black Anodised
Water resistance	Totally impervious to water (compact laminate)
UV resistance	Suitable for covered/undercover alfresco — not direct UV
Impact resistance	High — compact laminate is dense and durable
Stain resistance	Non-porous surface, resistant to most food and cleaning agents
Origin	Australian Made (polytec, Victoria)
Warranty	7-year product warranty
Available sizes	Made to order — custom widths and heights available

Source: polytec product documentation. Always confirm current specifications with polytec directly for commercial or warranty-sensitive applications.

✅ Where polytec Alfresco Works

Covered alfresco areas with a permanent roof
Pergolas with a solid or Colorbond roof
Under eaves or verandahs
Undercover entertaining areas protected from direct rain
Coastal environments (salt-air resistant)

⚠️ Where polytec Alfresco is Not Suitable

Open-air kitchens with no roof coverage
Areas with direct rain exposure
Full direct sunlight exposure (UV will degrade finish over time)
Swimming pool surrounds with heavy chlorine/chemical exposure
Marine vessel applications

What About the Cabinet Carcass?

The polytec Alfresco door is only one component of an outdoor kitchen. The cabinet box (carcass) behind it must also be specified for outdoor use. Standard MDF or particleboard — used in most indoor kitchens — will swell, delaminate, and fail outdoors, even in a covered area.

MJ Leckie Carpentry uses waterproof Stylex board for all cabinet carcasses — a moisture-resistant substrate engineered for outdoor environments. This is non-negotiable for longevity, and it's something many builders skip. Always ask your builder specifically what they're using for carcasses, not just doors. Our standard door specification is the polytec Alfresco Alloy frame door.

Explore More

Outdoor Kitchen Guides

Suburbs We Serve

Our Services

MJ Leckie Carpentry · Custom outdoor kitchens · Northern Beaches, Sydney NSW

0482 088 410

Specify polytec Alfresco for Your Build

We supply and install polytec Alfresco cabinetry across all Northern Beaches suburbs. Design online or call to discuss your project.

Design Online Free → 0482 088 410

polytec Alfresco Cabinetry —The Complete Guide for Sydney Homeowners